How Often Should Air Conditioning Units be Serviced?

Maintaining your air conditioning units and systems are paramount for overall building efficiency.     A common question is: how often should your air conditioning/HVAC be serviced? Ideally, at least twice per calendar year: this ensures it is working at maximum efficiency. The majority of issues air conditioning units face is when the system has not had regular maintenance services. Service checks are crucial to the lifespan of your air conditioning system: filters, coils and fins all require maintenance at regular periods to prolong their effectiveness. Neglecting maintenance appointments ensures only one thing: a decrease in the performance and lifespan of the air conditioning system. The knock-on effect is that airflow becomes restricted, creating extra pressure on the system, driving up power consumption. An unmaintained system becomes less efficient at its primary function – conditioning air – expelling dirtier, unwelcome (see: smelly) air into the atmosphere. Clogged, dirty air filters will block normal airflow, causing residue to settle on the evaporator coil, which directly dampens heat absorption: shortening the HVAC system’s lifespan. Air conditioner servicing requires regular maintenance checks from a qualified engineer, typically they will include:

• Control panel operational checks
• Electrical controls
• Pressure switches
• Flow switches
• Safety and limiting components
• Actuators and dampers
• Fans
• Filters
• Heaters
• Humidifiers
• Evaporators
• Refrigeration systems
• Condensers
• Water pumps

 

The Importance of Air Conditioner Servicing

Proper maintenance checks and services of your air conditioning system and heating equipment will ensure they are more economical and dependable. Without proper maintenance, your air conditioner loses approximately 5% of its overall efficiency: 5% for each year it goes without service. Monthly energy costs can be reduced by up to 25% when the system is correctly maintained and running at optimal efficiency. As the residential heating and cooling systems are delicate components, regular maintenance checks can effectively double their lifespan. We recommend, at a minimum, that you schedule two annual air conditioner service appointments for your AC system.  

Maintaining Your HVAC System Between Services

Between scheduled air conditioner servicing, regular maintenance spot-checks and routine cleaning tasks of the AC system will extend its lifespan and maintain its energy efficiency. Let’s explore some of the main HVAC elements that should be included in your regular maintenance routine and how to take care of them.  

Air Conditioning Filters

Cleaning or replacing the filters of an AC unit is the most crucial task in maintaining the optimal efficiency of the system. Once you open up the AC unit and locate the visible filters:

1. Remove them from the unit.
2. Clean away any dry debris.
3. Wash the filters in warm, soapy water.
4. Allow them to dry thoroughly.
5. Once the internal coil is clean and the filters (if reusable) are dry, place them back into the AC unit.

We recommend cleaning or replacing an AC’s filters every month, or two, during the cooler months. In warmer seasons – when AC usage is heavier – filters may require more attention.

Air Conditioning Coils

The condenser and evaporator coils within an AC unit collect dirt and grime over time: reducing their performance. Clean filters will prevent the evaporator coil from collecting dirt; however, condenser coils will always get dirty. As with most components within an air conditioning system, excessive dirt will affect the performance and efficiency of the whole system. To clean the coils, once the AC unit is open and the filters have been removed:

1. Remove internal coils
2. Soak them in an anti-corrosive disinfectant solution.
3. Allow them to sit within the solution for ten minutes.
4. Delicately wipe clean the coils and replace them within the AC housing unit.

Coils should be checked at least once per year and cleaned as necessary.

Coil Fins

Over time, debris can accumulate within the aluminium fins, which can lead them to become blocked or even bend: this will cause a decrease in the performance and efficiency of the AC unit. To correct this: a tool – known as a fin comb – can be bought at AC wholesalers, which can revise the aluminium fins to near-new condition.

Condensate Drains

Though overlooked, the condensate drains can become clogged and reduce the unit’s capacity to reduce humidity. Throughout the year, use a stiff wire/metal to prod through the drain system, to dislodge any rogue blockages. We’ve outlined a basic maintenance checklist as well as the benefits of maintaining these systems below. If you need any help with air conditioning maintenance, simply get in touch with our expert team here at Technique.

Air Conditioning Units Maintenance Checklist

A checklist for a typical maintenance and servicing schedule for an air conditioning system should include the following:

• An inspection of the exterior condition of the equipment.
• An annual test for refrigerant leaks on each individual condenser/evaporator circuit in accordance with current legislation. This should include all integral soldered, flared and flanged joints. All seals and valves should be inspected for possible wear and tear. Any refrigerant leaks found should be reported and documented in the FGAS logbook.
• Condensers (air-cooled) should be inspected for free airflow and cleaning carried out either by reverse blowing or by brushing with a stiff brush and using an appropriate Condenser Cleaning fluid.
• Evaporator coil should also be inspected for free airflow, cleaned and combed out if necessary. Use an appropriate Evaporator cleaner which will also disinfect and deodorise.
• Compressors should be checked for smooth operation.
• Fan drive motors should be cleaned, checked, and the running currents also checked.
• All fan bearings should be inspected for the correct temperature and for silent and smooth running. The bearings should be lubricated as required.
• Drive belts should be checked for alignment, tension, wear and hardness and adjusted or replaced as required.
• The controls should be checked for correct operation setting, calibration and response.
• The safety controls should also be inspected for operation and settings.
• There should be an inspection of the solenoid valves, the motorised valve heads, and or the thermostatic expansion valves for operation, and they should be adjusted if necessary.
• Oil charges and levels should be inspected for any loss and rectified if necessary.
• Any water pumps, if fitted, should be checked for correct water temperature and any leakage.
• Refrigeration system pipe insulation should be inspected for any damage and signs of leakage (usually found by oil traces).
• Anti-vibration mountings, if fitted, should be checked for their effectiveness.
• Wiring should be checked for integrity.
• Where ‘electrode boiler’ type humidifiers have been installed, operation should be checked, water drained, and cylinders replaced if necessary.
• Air filters should be inspected, cleaned or replaced as necessary.
• Condensate and overflow drains should be tested and cleaned, Disinfected and deodorised.
• The air on and air off temperatures from the indoor units should be checked and recorded in the FGAS logbook.
• The inlet and outlet temperatures should be checked and recorded.
• A written service report should be provided and the customers F-Gas log books updated.

Chemical treatment to remove bacteria, smells and odours is also recommended

The Benefits of Air Conditioning Unit Maintenance

    Aside from the regulatory requirements, a system that is regularly serviced and maintained can save a company up to 40% in running costs, as well as saving money on costly future replacements. Often a small problem identified during a maintenance service can prevent them from becoming major and expensive problems later on. Having your air conditioning equipment regularly serviced and maintained will ensure that you get longevity and optimal performance from your investment. An efficient air conditioning unit is also good for the environment, reducing energy use and thereby reducing carbon out puts and the carbon footprint

Regulations for Air Conditioning Systems

F-Gas Regulations

There are a host of reasons for having your air conditioning system regularly maintained and serviced. The first of these is that it is a legal requirement. The most important requirement relates to the 2014 F-Gas Regulation. This regulation contains a number of requirements affecting the use and maintenance of existing stationary air-conditioning equipment containing HFC refrigerants. The requirement depends on the type and size of equipment being used and relates to leak prevention, record keeping and the use of trained technicians. It is prohibited to intentionally release F-Gases into the atmosphere and those operating stationary air-conditioning equipment must take measures to minimise leakage. When leaks are detected operators have to carry out repairs without delay. For any business that operates an air conditioning system with a CO2 equivalent charge of 5 tonnes or more, it is a legal requirement to be F-Gas compliant. Since April 2018 fines for non-compliance have become very significant. A maximum fine of £200,000 could be enforced following the intentional release of F Gases into the environment. This is also deemed a criminal offence. Failure to comply with the regulations and procedures for minimising emissions, including leakages could result in a maximum penalty of £100,000. A fine of up to £50,000 could be incurred for failing to correctly label equipment or failing to keep proper records of F-Gases used in equipment. A maximum fine of £10,000 could also be incurred for minor breaches, including not reporting on F-Gas production within issued deadlines. It is therefore vitally important that your system is regularly maintained and serviced by a professional air conditioning maintenance engineer. How often this needs to occur depends on the CO2 equivalent charge weight of your system. A detailed service and maintenance record is a requirement for any air conditioning system which has an CO2 equivalent charge weight of 5 tonnes or more. Although the 2014 F-Gas Regulations are EU laws, they are likely to be replaced, post Brexit, by similar regulations and advice about these can be found here. Clarity on what is actually required still remains unclear, therefore keep updated using the above link, or contacting Technique directly for advice. TM44 air conditioning inspections TM44 is an energy efficiency assessment applied to any building’s air conditioning system with a rated output of 12kW or more. It is a requirement that every commercial property with a qualifying air conditioning system has this assessment carried out every five years by a professional assessor. The assessment must then be registered on the NDEPC register.  R22 replacement If you have an air-conditioning or refrigeration system that’s been in place for fifteen years or more, your system could be affected by the illegal refrigerant, R-22 HCFC. This gas was commonly used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems before 2003, but because of its harmful effect on the ozone layer, it has been banned since January 2015. As a result of this, the servicing, maintenance and recycling of R-22 HCFC in any air conditioning system is prohibited.

How do you gain the qualifications to carry out servicing on air conditioning units?

Ultimately, by ensuring that your air conditioning system receives regular quality maintenance and servicing, you are guaranteeing that those working in the building are comfortable and therefore likely to be more productive. You are also ensuring that your system is cost effective and that you remain within the law. For further advice on scheduling maintenance and servicing visits from expert engineers, contact us  directly or view our Air Conditioning Courses for a range of hands on courses which are fully accredited to international standards